Honda is making money as a car manufacturer right now for one simple reason – it makes cars people want to buy. The 2009 Honda CR-V is unchanged from the 2008 model, and chances are, the 2010 model will be pretty much unchanged as well. And there’s a good reason for this – the car is, quite frankly, a good car. There really isn’t anything in need of improvement. The only real surprise is that Honda chose not to tweak the car by adding a lot of superfluous bells and whistles, gilding an already perfectly good lily.
Driving the Honda CR-V is a pleasant experience. The driver’s seat is positioned well, and the controls are well designed and instinctively placed. When you get in this car to drive, you feel comfortable and ready to go – not like you have to spend a lot of time acquainting yourself with the car. Steering is tight and responsive, and surprisingly communicative, making driving the CR-V fun – much more so than driving many other SUVs. In addition, the firm suspension and steering make for an excellent road feel.
Speed and acceleration on the Honda CR-V are consistent with the 4 cylinder engine, which is one of the car’s only criticisms, in addition to its slow 0-60 acceleration capability. When fully loaded, the automatic transmission can find it hard to keep up. Consequently, you can expect Honda’s usual amount of road nose. In addition, some reviewers have said they think the front end of the car is ugly; but considering sales figures for this car, they’re certainly in the minority. Fuel economy on the car is reasonable, rated at 20 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway.
If you need cargo room, the CR-V gives up 73 cubic feet of cargo space, with a few additional spaces for storing smaller items. The spacious rear seat can recline either forward or back, adding flexibility to the cabin space. Other features include anti-lock brakes, front seat side airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags. These features likely contribute to the CR-V’s distinction of having perfect crash test scores, with a perfect 5 out of 5 stars on every test. A back-up camera is also available on higher end models of the CR-V, making it even safer to drive.
The LX version has 17 inch wheels, keyless entry, cruise control, tilt wheel, full power accessories, an overhead conversation mirror which allows you to see people in the back seat, and a CD-MP3 player. The EX adds alloy wheels, a sun roof, tinted rear glass, audio controls on the steering wheel for the in-dash 6 CD changer, and a removable trunk shelf. Finally, move up to EX-L and you get leather upholstery, a power driver’s seat and front seat heaters, fancier exterior trim, dual zone climate control, a leather wrapped steering wheel, and a premium sound system on which to enjoy your satellite radio.
Once again, Honda has produced an excellent handling and comfortable SUV. If you don’t mind a little road noise, you’ve just found yourself a car that will offer you with a smooth, pleasant driving experience – along with Honda’s renowned reliability and resale values.
